The Rough Guide to Sport (Indoor) Climbing Grades.
3 A level of climbing accessible to all. Your first attempt at “colour coding”.
3+ As above, but with one tricky move which nearly makes you fall off.
4 The first grade that makes you fall off.
4+ The fun and games begin. The first route you recommend to others.
5 Transitional grade. The easy 5s are easy, the hard 5s are hard.
5+ You fail to notice the + on the routecard but do notice your arms hurt.
6a The first grade you “session” as a “project”. (Translation: 5 tries over 2 days)
6a+ You realise how important the + is and notice it from now on.
6b You have arrived. It is acceptable to say “I climb 6b” aloud.
6b+ You overhear someone saying “I climb 6b” and feel superior.
6c The first climb that makes you realise the route might be reset before you finish it.
6c+ People do climb this grade in trainers but we don’t talk about that. Hard for weak staff.
7a The promised land. The Holy Grail (of top roping) You consider buying a moon vest.
7a+ Like 7a except you are now probably leading and realise 6b+ is hard on lead.
7b Slightly uncharted territory. Such a transitional grade that none exist.
7b+ Lots of these exist. More than people who can climb them.
7c It’s time to buy that vest. You begin to think about 8a, but only quietly.
7c+ You change most of your passwords to “yourname7c+”. It feels good.
8a Check you out. You have both “completed” and “only just begun” climbing.
8a+ Peak District Turbo Punter. Also the last grade you can fake modesty about.
8b You are Wad/Euro/Wunderkind. You go to Dumbuck/Ceuse/Malham
8b+ Latticeboard
8c Instagram athlete page?
8c+ Hubble? This is getting a touch ridiculous.
9a N/A
9a+ N/A
9b N/A
9b+ N/A
9c Ondra.
